Switzerland is a beautiful, diverse country in the heart of Europe. Here you will find 22 photo spots for great shots of mountains, lakes, landscapes, cities or people.
I tried to summarize my 10 favorite photo spots in Switzerland. This choice was not easy for me to make. Almost all towns offer various great photo locations. Therefore, this list does not claim to be complete: On the one hand, I have certainly forgotten to write down some of the top photo spots, on the other hand, I have by no means visited all the places worth seeing in my country.
Aletsch Glacier, Valais
I start this list of Swiss photo spots with the longest and largest glacier in the Alps, the Aletsch Glacier in the canton of Valais. The last time I visited this beautiful landscape was on a 2-day hike from Bettmeralp to Riederalp.
The 23 km long Aletsch Glacier looks like a huge ice stream and has shaped and shaped a large part of the Swiss Alps. This sea of ice, the unique structure of the glacier and the view of the Valais Alps is a great photo motif for all lovers of mountain landscapes.
Verzasca Valley, Ticino
The Verzasca Valley in the canton of Ticino is a real tourist hotspot in the summer months. The emerald green color of the water invites visitors to take a refreshing dip during the hotter months. In addition, beautiful villages can be explored in this valley of Italian-speaking Switzerland, where you can enjoy delicious specialties such as osso bucco, risotto or polenta.
The magnificent colors of the water and the surrounding forests are also an ideal subject for photos in spring or autumn. Visiting this region in the shoulder season also has the advantage that the cooler temperatures are more pleasant for a hike and fewer people can be seen in the photos.
Aescher Inn, Appenzell
The Äscher inn in the canton of Appenzell made it onto the front page of “National Geographic” – and has been attracting tourists from near and far ever since. The inn built in the rock is truly a photo spot worth seeing in Eastern Switzerland and should not be missing from this list. The typical Swiss wooden chalet offers a great contrast to the massive rock of the mountain; a great photo subject.
In addition, after eating delicious Röstis from the inn, you can comfortably hike on to the beautiful Seealpsee.
Grosser Muristalden, Bern
The ascent right at the Bärenpark in the direction of the Schosshale offers a great view of Bern’s old town and is an ideal photo spot, especially for a beautiful sunset atmosphere or for nocturnal panorama shots. The view from the Grosser Muristalden is a little less known than that from the Rosengarten, and is therefore less crowded with tourists.
Rhine Falls, Schaffhausen
A tourist highlight in north-eastern Switzerland is the Rhine Falls near Neuhausen, in the canton of Schaffhausen. This huge waterfall is one of the three largest in Europe and is a great photo spot in Switzerland – even if the camera might get wet. Even if you don’t have your camera with you, be sure to take your iPhone out of your pocket and take some HEIC photos. At home, you can edit the photo, bringing it to the ideal. And, if necessary, convert heic to jpg and send it to friends.
Fronalpstock, Schwyz
I got to know and enjoy this view over Lake Lucerne on my tightrope walk between Klingenstock and Fronalpstock. The family-friendly hike along the entire ridge above Stoos in the canton of Schwyz offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding mountains – especially from the panorama platform on the Fronalpstock.
Crestasee, Graubünden
Whether in a sweltering hot sun or with heavy rainfall – the Crestasee in the Flimserwald is worth a visit in every season and in every weather. In this corner of Graubünden there is a uniquely relaxing calm, this mountain lake is an oasis of inspiration for my soul.
So it is also clear that Lake Cresta is one of my favorite photo spots in Switzerland. Even during my winter holidays in Flims-Laax-Falera, I always find the opportunity to stop by Lake Cresta to switch off and take a few photos.
Chillon Castle, Vaud
Chillon Castle is located on Lac Léman, also known as Lake Geneva, near the city of Montreux. This medieval moated castle in Romanesque style is very photogenic, especially at dusk or when the water surface is foggy. The mountain panorama of the French Alps also offers a great background; as are the passing boats of the shipping company. If you also like medieval subjects, you shouldn’t miss the museum inside the castle!
Rigi Kulm, Zug
The excursion mountain Rigi-Kulm is a local recreation area at the foot of Lake Zug. Affectionately known as the “Queen of the Mountains”, it is a great photo location at any time of the year; I was particularly impressed by the view of Lake Zug. It is also worth hiking up the Rigi at night to photograph the starry sky and enjoy the morning atmosphere at sunrise over the Swiss Mittelland.
Basel Fair
The exhibition and congress center in the city of Basel, in north-western Switzerland, is an architectural masterpiece and literally invites all street photography fans to take pictures. The futuristic building covers a busy tram stop so that the various protagonists of urban life can be photographed in the best possible light. I could linger here for hours with my camera in hand!
I have now tried to present you with 10 quite different photo locations from my country. And I tried to cover as many different regions of Switzerland as possible. It is an entirely subjective and incomplete choice. Which photo spots are missing in your opinion? Write me in the comments!
